Betty Ann Blake (1937-2001) sang with Buddy Morrow from 1955 to 1957. As Morrows featured vocalist she attracted the attention of Golden Crest Records. Offered work as guest singer on two songs on an album by trumpeter John Plonskys modern jazz quintet.
Her band experience took her to clubs around the country, and after four years she returned to Cincinnati to join a vocal group for a time. When in 1961 vibes player and producer Teddy Charles approached her to do an album for Bethlehem Records featuring five Alec Wilder ballads, she decided to drop the Ann from her name.
The album contained a large number of Alec Wilder songs. And one side of a 45 Blake made for the Golden Crest label, “The Lady Sings the Blues,” was also written by Wilder. After her Bethlehem effort, nothing is known of any other professional activity until her death at age 63. Something of a mystery, for the Blake’s lone album is a good one and received some nice reviews.
For this release, "Betty Blake Sings in a Tender Mood", top flight jazzmen like Mal Waldron, Zoot Sims, Kenny Burrell, Roland Alexander and Charles furnished her with an ideal background.
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